Are you planning to grind down a pesky stump in your yard? As the go-to crew for premium tree services in Memorial, TX, we at Champions Tree Preservation get many questions on what happens to the leftover roots. Keep reading as we lend some insight.
How Stump Grinding Affects Roots
As the name suggests, stump grinding uses powerful rotating discs to chip away at stumps, typically to a depth of 8-12 inches.
So what happens to roots after stump grinding? By removing the tree’s main structure, its underground network should eventually die because it can’t create food on its own. As the roots decompose, they will also nourish the surrounding soil.
Total Root Decomposition Isn’t Always Guaranteed
While most trees need a viable stump to regrow, some can sprout shoots from the remaining root systems. The following varieties are particularly resilient:
- Green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica)
- American elm (Ulmus americana)
- Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)
- Chinaberry (Melia azedarach)
- Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)
- Poplar (Populus spp.)
- Bradford pear (Pyrus calleryana)
- Willow (Salix spp.)
- Red maple (Acer rubrum)
- Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense)
- Tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima)
What happens to tree roots after stump grinding also depends on the surrounding conditions. Fertile soil with ample moisture will encourage new growth from remaining roots, while dry or compacted ground can inhibit sprouting.
What’s an Effective Way of Preventing New Growth?
Now that you know what happens to roots after stump grinding, you can take steps to prevent unwanted regrowth. Popular solutions include:
- Full stump removal: Regular stump grinding and leftover root breakdown can nourish the soil over time, but you may need a more exhaustive approach to avoid new sprouts. Stump removal that also grinds down a significant part of the root system is fairly effective.
- Repeated sessions: By periodically going over the area with a stump grinder, the root system will eventually deplete its energy reserves and stop producing new growth.
- Chemical treatments: You can find many systemic herbicides that target tree roots. They often involve drilling into the stump and applying the product directly to the cambium layer.
- Manual root removal: Root removal after stump grinding benefits property owners who are planning to replant, landscape, or build new structures immediately. However, this process is time intensive and messy.
Consult a Certified Arborist
You might feel tempted to take the DIY route, but you may end up wasting more time, effort, and resources than necessary. With a trained professional, you don’t have to worry about pesky regrowth or leftover mess.
Reputable arborists often take the following steps for an easy, successful session:
- Assessing the stump and the surrounding space
- Employing minimally invasive, eco-friendly removal techniques
- Removing excess debris, levelling the area, and backfilling the hole
- Providing organic mulch from the leftover stump material when requested
Experienced Stump Removal Specialists in Memorial, TX
What happens to roots after stump grinding? If you don’t want shoots to come back, partner with Champions Tree Preservation. Contact us today to discuss your landscaping goals!
